Mix It Up with Blended Learning

Tired of the same old next-driven online training snooze fest? Well, mix it up! Blended learning can be very beneficial to your employees - and a welcome break from mindlessly clicking through a training course alone at their desks. Combining online and in-person learning creates a collaborative learning experience and allows for open communication.

Check out These Blended Learning Models

Using a robust learning management system (LMS) is key to keeping your blended learning organized and opening up communication with your learners. An LMS such as CourseMill LMS provides great communication tools, including news announcements, e-mail, instant messaging, online discussions, online grading tools and more.

One of the leading researchers on blended learning, Michael B. Horn from Innosight Institute, divides blended learning into six main models:

Face-to-Face Driver
Teachers deliver most of the curriculum in face-to-face classes. However, they also produce online resources to supplement or revise course material, which students can study at home, in the classroom or in the IT lab.

Rotation
The students rotate between a period of face-to-face tuition and a period of online study. In some case, online study may be done remotely (at home, for example).

Flex
In this model, most learning is done in the online environment. Face-to-face teaching is still available, but for small groups or individuals on an as-needed basis.

Online Lab
All course material and teaching is done online, but in a physical classroom or computer lab. Teachers interact with students online through pre-recorded videos, audio and video conferences or discussion forums and email.

Self-Blend
A fully individualized approach, this model lets the students takes online classes a la carte. Much of the learning is done online, but the students will still attend face-to-face classes.

Online Driver (Flipped)
Students work mainly online in a remote location and come into school for optional or required face-to-face classes.

Fast Fact: A 2010 meta-analysis published by the U.S. Department of Education revealed that students exposed to both face-to-face and online education were more successful than students who only experienced face-to-face or only experienced online education.

Of course blended learning has a few factors you’ll need to keep in mind, so you don’t experience a hiccup in your training program.

Dependence on technology
Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date technology and that your resources are easy to navigate—otherwise, you won’t be able to have a meaningful impact. For example, create your online content with an authoring tool that publishes to HTML5, like Lectora Inspire does.

Required IT knowledge
Your learners need to have a certain level of technical knowledge in order to access the online materials. It helps to ensure that tech support is available and your learners know who to call—not the Ghostbusters!

Procrastination
It’s easy for learners to procrastinate when material is posted online for them to access on their own time. Nearly half of all learners will wait and watch several weeks’ worth of videos in one sitting, rather than as the videos are posted.

As long as you’re prepared and you choose your tools wisely, your blended learning program will be a huge success! Check out this blog for more information on blended learning: 5 Best Practices for Blended Learning